Developers in the city of Stockbridge may have to pay impact fees in the future if they want to bring a new subdivision or mixed-use development to Henry County's biggest town.
The Stockbridge City Council is studying whether the south metro community should start levying a charge on new construction as it seeks ways to grow its residential and economic base.
Impact fees are generally charged by municipalities as a way to pay for infrastructure improvements necessitated by new residential or business construction.
Camilla Moore, Stockbridge Community Development Director, said the city is the only one in Henry County that does not collect the fees. Adopting them would allow the city to take the costs of improvements off the backs of taxpayers and put it on those who stand to gain from building in Stockbridge.
“I just want everyone to think about it,” Moore told the council recently. She said she would bring the council suggestions on how much the city might charge and how much those fees might raise as early as March.
The move comes as Stockbridge has several development projects in the pipeline, including a cultural arts center and a 160-acre mixed-use development dubbed Jodeco South. The city last month launched a branding campaign and new town tagline — Where Community Connects. Late last year, it also an economic development director — all part of a strategy to foster growth.
City Councilman Elton Alexander supported the proposal during the recent council meeting, arguing that Stockbridge would be leaving money on the table without them.
“We’re losing thousands of dollars not charging these fees,” he said.
